LACBC to Light Up the Night with “Operation Firefly”

Inspired by the changing of the seasons and the end of Daylight Savings time, we are proud to announce the launch of “Operation Firefly,” a bicycle light distribution and safety education program in an effort to ensure Angelenos riding bicycles at night are seen by motorists and other users of the road.

LACBC’s “Team Firefly” volunteers will be handing out front and rear lights during night-time street distributions all over Los Angeles. Operation Firefly’s first street distribution will take place during the week following the November 4th time change. “Our goal is to seek out people riding without lights for various reasons, especially riders who may not have the means or time to acquire lights on their own,” said Education Director Colin Bogart. LACBC has invested in a few hundred light sets and intends to continue weekly street distributions until all the lights are gone.

Following the November 4th time change, more bicyclists will be riding the streets after the sun has gone down. Legally, bicyclists are required to use a front white light with side, rear, and pedal reflectors (CVC 21201). “Many bicyclists don’t know this and frequently ride at night without the required lights and reflectors,” said Jennifer Klausner, the nonprofit’s Executive Director. “This can lead to citations from police, but more importantly, riding at night without lights and reflectors is not safe.”

In addition to front and rear lights, LACBC will be distributing Operation Firefly spokecards in English and Spanish. The spokecards will provide a summary of the California Vehicle Code requirements while riding at night along with the following information:

A front light helps prevent the most common collisions – those with oncoming or cross traffic.

A rear red light is not required, but it is recommended.

Be extra alert at night. Lights help, but they don’t guarantee that drivers will see you.

Wear a reflective vest, clothing, or arm/leg bands.

Affix reflective tape to your bike, helmet, or shoes.

Use extra lights affixed to your wheels, bike frame, or helmet.

Wear white or light colored clothing.

The spokecards will be distributed with the lights, to LACBC members, at events, through local bike shops, and through partner organizations.

Front light

Anyone can support Operation Firefly by making a tax-deductible donation or by purchasing a set of lights from LACBC for $20. “For every set we sell,” added Colin Bogart, “we can give away another set! If we receive enough donations or sell enough light sets, we can keep Operation Firefly going all winter, and possibly all next year.”

im in Silverlake , Manage the Bodybuilder’s gym on Hyperion and i have many gym mebers who choose to Bike ride to the gym i buke ride myself , how do i become a Firefly HUB or donation center? Joshua Guerrero